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Abiotic origin of biopolymersA variety of methods have been investigated in different laboratories for the polymerization of amino acids and nucleotides under abiotic conditions. They include (1) thermal polymerization; (2) direct polymerization of certain amino acid nitriles, amides, or esters; (3) polymerization using polyphosphate esters; (4) polymerization under aqueous or drying conditions at moderate temperatures using a variety of simple catalysts or condensing agents like cyanamide, dicyandiamide, or imidazole; and (5) polymerization under similar mild conditions but employing activated monomers or abiotically synthesized high-energy compounds such as adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP). The role and significance of these methods for the synthesis of oligopeptides and oligonucleotides under possible primitive-earth conditions is evaluated. It is concluded that the more recent approach involving chemical processes similar to those used by contemporary living organisms appears to offer a reasonable solution to the prebiotic synthesis of these biopolymers.
Document ID
19760063753
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Oro, J.
(Houston Univ. TX, United States)
Stephen-Sherwood, E.
(Houston, University Houston, Tex., United States)
Date Acquired
August 8, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1976
Subject Category
Chemistry And Materials (General)
Accession Number
76A46719
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NCA2-OP295-501
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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